Wanderland Travel

Travel agents have advanced over the years to become full-fledged travel advisors, creating their clients very own dream vacation.

Here are the most common myths around working with a travel specialist and why it is the best time to depend on your trained professional to plan your vacation with you every step of the way:

#1: Clients lose control of their vacation by booking with a travel agent, where working with a travel agent is impersonal.

False – You do not give up control over your vacation. In fact, the more included you are in the process, the more your travel planner will get to know you and offer assistance with points of interest suited to your taste. This includes details to suit your family’s style, requests, and requirements. You can still enjoy the planning and research if planning is all part of the fun of the vacation for you!

If that’s you, at any point Wanderland Travel will benefit as more of a proficient asset and security net. WT will prompt, assist with arrangements, handle booking, and give client service. Some clients are very included in the planning, and others are hands-off and need a final product for their endorsement. Travel service is never one-size-fits-all, but personalized. This is your vacation!

Think about other jobs you could do yourself like a beautician or photographer. While you could do them, it would be time-consuming, with diminished results because it is not your profession. Think of your travel specialist as another case where counseling a professional will make your life simplier & better by personalizing things to make your trip all the more memorable.

When you find a specialist you appreciate, you construct a relationship with them and they will get to know your preferences, wants and needs. They end up a friend who is just as excited as you as each detail of your vacation comes together. Believe it or not, they will remember you long after you traveled since arranging your vacation is individual to them too!

And again, keep in mind that if you “do it yourself” with online booking, those websites are still considered travel agencies. So you’re pretty much just contracting an impersonal algorithm to arrange your vacation.

#2: Travel agents charge an expense and cost more money.

False – This is probably the greatest point of disarray; booking with a travel specialist will cost the same as booking directly or maybe less than what you discover online.

If you book your travel with a travel specialist, the planner receives a commission from the travel supplier. There is no additional cost to use a travel agent and you receive their concierge services for free. If a deal or promotion is released that can be applied to your existing reservation, your travel agent will be aware of it and will automatically try to apply it for you without you needing to request anything. Part of WT expertise is finding ways to save you money!

Each travel agency and agent is different, therefore some may charge a fee if your travel requires extensive, specialized research for their time. WT does not cost you any extra money and works to find the best price for you!

#3: Travel agents are only useful for booking big vacations.

False – Travel specialists can book lodging (hotels, motels, rental properties), rental cars, travel insurance, scooters, strollers, and more. Each reservation, no matter how small, is important and imperative by adding to their annual sales goals.

#4: With the use of the internet, travel agents are no longer needed.

False – Now more than ever, travel specialists are there to offer assistance to make sure everything runs smoothly and to be your advocate. This has never been more genuine since the Pandemic of 2020 when travelers who booked directly or who booked with a company like Costco or Expedia, went through hours or days on hold and still could not get through to a person who was able to help them.

The rise of the internet certainly reshaped the travel industry. Thanks to the internet, agents don’t have to be strapped to a specific work area with a landline or memorize airline codes. Many work remotely, have related information at their fingertips, visit more destinations firsthand, build relationships with suppliers, and elevate their services for clients.

#5: Travel agents are paid to answer phones and answer questions even if clients do not book with them.

False – Most independent travel agents work exclusively on commission and are only paid after their clients have traveled. Agents are not compensated for any of their time if a client does not book their vacation with them. If your vacation is cancelled, the specialist does not receive any commission regardless of how much time was spent arranging your vacation.

#6: All travel agents are the same.

False – Not all travel specialists are created equally. Most agents have a specialty such as family travel, romantic travel, all-inclusive resorts, cruises, theme parks, etc.

While most agents do not charge a fee, some may charge a fee for high-end travel agendas or to protect themselves if you decide not to book or cancel after they have done a lot of work. Some book you and send you on your way whereas others write out a detailed itinerary. Some work traditional hours while others work seven days a week and will provide services that may require them to disrupt their personal life. With the proper amount of research, you will find the travel specialist for you.

#7: My travel agent does not need referrals.

False – For most travel agents, referrals make up more than 90% of their sales. Although never expected, but always appreciated, word of mouth, online reviews, and social media are the best way to spread word around an agent. This is what they do for a living and they depend on referrals to friends and family from clients who value and appreciate their efforts. It is the greatest compliment to receive a referral, as specialists would not be able to continue doing what they love without them.